Have you ever wondered how your procurement operations measure up against recognized best practices? The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award, founded in 1995 by the National Procurement Institute, recognizes public and non-profit organizations that demonstrate excellence in public procurement and a commitment to the continued pursuit of excellence.
The AEP Award offers organizations a structured opportunity to assess procurement maturity, strengthen internal practices, and gain external recognition for excellence. Its comprehensive evaluation framework spans areas such as ethics, professional development, automation, leadership, and continuous improvement—highlighting the strategic value procurement brings to the organization.
That value is clearly reflected in the experience of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville:
“For the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, earning the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award for the first time would represent far more than a milestone—it would reflect the transformation of an entire procurement function. Over the past year, we have modernized our processes, strengthened governance under our new procurement by-law, and introduced meaningful tools such as electronic procurement forms, performance programs, and increased transparency measures.
This journey has reinforced our belief that procurement is not just a transactional service, but a strategic enabler of public value. What impresses me most is how our internal departments, senior leadership, and supplier community have embraced this commitment to innovation, fairness, and continuous improvement.
The AEP program provides a clear, credible benchmark for excellence across North America. For a growing municipality like ours, it serves as both a roadmap and a motivator—challenging us to elevate our practices, increase accountability, and align with recognized best-in-class standards.
Participating in the AEP process affirms the dedication of our small but high-performing team and validates the Town’s strong commitment to ethical, transparent, and results-driven procurement. We hope our work inspires other Ontario municipalities to pursue excellence and highlight the essential role procurement plays in building trust, strengthening governance, and delivering better outcomes for our communities.”
— Asad Chughtai, MCIPS, NISCL-CSCL, CPPB, CPPO, NIGP-CPP, CPM, CMMIII, GDPA
Manager, Procurement Services, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
NPI Board Director (Canada)
Learn more about the AEP program:
- Download the AEP Award Overview (PDF) for a high-level introduction and evaluation criteria <link to PDF>
- Visit the NPI website for detailed program information, application guidance, and supporting resources.
Application deadline:
The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award application is due May 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Organizations are encouraged to start early, as the application process typically takes 2–3 months to complete.